by Barbara Stanley

Created on: August 19, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2010

"Do you want to go with me to my grandparents this weekend?" Cathy was my best friend in sixth grade. I had been to her grandparents' home in the country before and I had loved it. It was peaceful there, minus my three younger brothers. A very cute boy lived a quarter of a mile from their house, which was another reason to say yes.

"Sure. I'd love to go with you." My father was a policeman in our small town. He knew everybody and had no problem with my spending the weekend with the Dawes family. I packed my best shorts outfit, some old clothes for working in the garden, and a church dress. My father drove me to Cathy's house Friday afternoon. By six o'clock that night, Cathy and I had unpacked in the guest bedroom we shared at her grandparents' home. After some girl talk about boys and more than a little giggling, we headed to the kitchen to help get supper on the table.

Mrs. Marlene Dawes was almost as good a cook as my mother was. She prepared a good old-fashioned country meal of smoked ham, peas, butter beans and okra, creamed potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and homemade biscuits. The difference between Mrs. Dawes meals and the ones my mother cooked was the fact that the Dawes grew all their vegetables, made their own jellies, pickles, and spices, and slaughtered the hogs they raised. There was always good smells coming from their smokehouse.

"Girls, get a shower and get to bed. We'll be up at daybreak to bring the corn in." Mr. Dawes was a kind, gentle man, but he expected his children, grandchildren, and visiting children to obey the first time. I had learned that during my first visit. My parents had given permission to the Dawes to spank me if I needed it. After the first warning to get quiet and go to sleep, Mr. Dawes appeared in the doorway with a rather wide leather belt. He spanked me and Cathy, but not with anger or malice. Looking back, I would liken his discipline methods to those of Andy on The Andy Griffith Show.

After a hearty country breakfast, the adults, except for Marlene, went to the corn fields to hand pick two acres of corn. Mr. Dawes had two grown sons and two married daughters. Everyone participated in the gardening, sharing the bounty for another year. Marlene, Cathy, and I stayed at the house, making pitcher after pitcher of iced tea and cold water to take to the "break table". We also spent our time making a huge lunch for all the harvesters. As soon as lunch was over, we began the evening meal. As tired as I was when the

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